Novel condenser

ABSTRACT

This patent describes a novel gravity return condenser apparatus adapted for the condensation of vapors and the return of the condensate to the source of the vapors while providing for the elimination from the condenser of non-condensible vapors. More particularly, the novel condenser of this patent comprises a vertical casing having a closed upper end, an internal riser duct located within the casing and extending through the major portion of the length of said casing to form an annular space between the outer surface of the duct and the inner surface of the casing, within the upper portion of said annular space, a vertical tube bundle, above the upper end of said duct and said tube bundle a header which serves to distribute vapors rising upwardly in said duct over the upper end of said tube bundle, supporting means for said tube bundle comprising a transverse plate carried by said casing into which the tubes of said tube bundle are fixed at their lower ends, means for passing cooling fluids into said casing, around the exterior of said tube bundle, duct and header and out of said casing, below said plate a vapor space comprising an annular space between the outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, the lower end of said tube bundle communicating with said vapor space, a second transverse plate carried by said casing forming the lower extremity of said vapor space, means associated with said vapor space for permitting the passage of uncondensed vapor to the exterior of said casing, below said second plate a condensate trap comprising an annular space between the outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, a first condensate passage means communicating said vapor space with said trap, a second condensate passage means communicating said trap with the exterior of said casing, the upper extremity of said second condensate passage means being above the lower extremity of said first condensate passage means.

Zhumkhawala [54] NOVEL CONDENSER Yusui M. Zhumkhawala, Los Angeles, Calif.

Food Protein Concentrates, lnc., Culver City, Calif.

[22] Filed: March 9,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 17,584

[72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 154,663 10/1904 Germany ..165/1ll 744,612 10/1944 Germany ..l65/l 11 Primary Examiner-Albert W.-Davis, Jr. Attorney-Finkelstein & Mueth 51 July 25, 1972- ABSTRACT This patent describes a novel gravity return condenser apparatus adapted for the condensation of vapors and the return of the condensate to the source of the vapors while providing for the elimination from the condenser of non-condensible vapors. More particularly, the novel condenser of this patent comprises a vertical casing having a closed upper end, an internal riser duct located within the casing and extending through themajor portion of the length of said casing to form an annular space between the outer surface of the duct and the inner surface of the casing, within the upper portion of said annular space, a vertical tube bundle, above the upper.

end of said duct and said tube bundle a header which serves to distribute vapors rising upwardly in said duct over the upperv end of said tube bundle, supporting means for said tube bundle comprising a transverse plate carried by said easing into which the tubes of said tube bundle are fixed at their lower ends, means for passing cooling fluids into said casing, around the exterior of said tube bundle, duct and header and out of said casing, below said plate a vapor space comprising an an nular space between the outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, the lower end of said tube bundle communicating with said vapor space, a second transverseplate carried by said casing forming the lower extremity of said vapor space, means associated with said vapor space for permitting the passage of uncondensed vapor to the exterior of said casing, below said second plate a condensate trap comprising an annular space between the outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, a first condensate passage means communicating said vapor space with said trap, a second condensate passage means communicating said trap with the exterior of said casing. the upper extremity of said second condensate passage means being above the lower extremity of said first condensate passage means.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures NOVEL CONDENSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of condensers for use in chemical processes for the condensation and gravity return of condensible vapors are known. A typical common type involves a vertical central passage open at both ends, said passage being surrounded by a cooling jacket. The condensate returns to the lower end of the passage while the non-condensible vapors pass from the condenser at the upper end of the passage. This structure has several major disadvantages. One major disadvantage is that the length of the device for many applications becomes such that it is excessive in both space and materials. The problem cannot be overcome simply by the use of a bundle of vapor passagesenclosed in a cooling jacket because of inefficiency introduced by the normal vapor distribution header. The present invention effectively solves these long standing problems in the art. According to my invention, there is provided a condenser which is more efficient and compact than condensers previously available. More specifically, a bundle of vapor passages are employed and the header and the major portion of the vapor distribution system are also in heat exchange relationship to the cooling fluid, resulting in more efficient heat exchange which permits a more compact condenser;

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention comprises a novel gravity return condenser having:

1. a vertical casing having a closed upper end,

2. an internal riser duct located within the casing and extending through the major portion of the length of said casing to form a space between the outer surface of the duct and the inner surface of the casing,

3. a vertical tube bundle within the upper portion of said space,

4. a header for distributing vapors rising upwardly in said duct over the upper end of the tube bundle,

5. supporting means associated with the lower end of said tube bundle and carried by said casing,

6. means for passing cooling fluid through said casing around the exterior of said tube bundle and header,

7. a vapor space below said tube bundle and in communication therewith,

8. means associated with said vapor space for permitting the passage of uncondensed vapor to the exterior of said casing,

9. a condensate trap below said vapor space,

10. a first condensate passage means communicating said vapor space with said trap, and

l l. a second condensate passage means communicating said trap with'the exterior of said casing, the upper extremity of said second condensate passage means being above the lower extremity of said first condensate passage means.

More specifically, the present invention ,is directed to a novel condenser having a vertical'casing having a closed upper end, an internal riser duct located within the casing and extending through the major portion of the length of said casing to form an annular space between the outer surface of the duct and the inner surface of the casing, within the upper portion of said annular space, a vertical tube bundle, above the upper end of said duct and said tube bundle a header which serves to distribute vapors rising upwardly in said duct over the upper end of said tube bundle supporting means for said tube bundle comprising a transverse plate carried by said casing into which the tubes of said tube bundle are fixed at their lower ends, means for passing cooling fluids into said casing, around the exterior of said tube bundle, duct and header and out of said casing, below said plate a vapor space comprising an annular space between the outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, the lower end of said tube bundle communicating with said vapor space, a second transverse plate carried by said casing forming the lower extremity of said vapor space, means associated with said vapor space for permitting the passage of uncondensed vapor to the exterior of said casing, below said second plate a condensate trap comprising an annular space between the outer surfaces of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, a first condensate passage means communicating said vapor space with said trap, a second condensate passage means communicating said trap with the exterior of said casing, the upper extremity of said second condensate passage means being above the lower extremity of said first condensate passage means.

It is an object of my invention to provide a novel condenser which is more efficient and compact.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel condenser which utilizes a tube bundle and header in heat exchange relationship to the cooling fluid.

Another object of this invention is to reduce thermal stress in a condenser by the use of a floating tube bundle.

Still another object of this invention is to provide for the discharge of non-condensible vapors by a novel means.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the more detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the novel condenser of my invention, somewhat shortened to facilitate illustration.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the condenser of FIG. I illustrating its interior construction.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the condenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 2.

Taking the drawings in more detail, the casing 10 as shown, is formed of two pipe-like sections 12 and 14 threadably engaged with threaded flanges l6 and 18, respectively. A transverse supporting plate 20 is positioned between flanges l6 and 18. The flanges are joined to each other by nut and bolt arrangements, 22, 24, 26 and 28. A seal is maintained between the flanges l6 and 18 and plate 22 by Teflon gaskets 30 and 32. The upper end of casing 10 is formed by the threaded cap 34. Another threaded cap 36 at the lower end of the condenser completes casing 10. Riser duct 38 extends upwardly within casing 10 an somewhat less than coextensive in length with the casing 10 to allow for header 40 and the space 42 for cooling fluid. The tube bundle 44 is attached to and carried by transverse plate 20. The upper portion of duct 38 and the tube bundle 44 are surrounded by the cooling fluid present in the annular space 46. The cooling fluid is introduced via inlet 48 and removed via outlet 50. Annular vapor space 52 surrounds duct 38 and is separated from condensate trap 54 by the transverse plate 56. The vapor space communicates with the interior of the ends 58 of the tubes forming bundle 44. The vapor space is also provided with a plurality of vent holes or openings 60 in the wall of casing 10 to allow for the escape of non-condensible vapors from the condenser. Pipe 62 provides for fluid communication between vapor space 52 and condensate trap 54. The trap 54 also has a condensate return pipe 64. The lower end 66 of pipe 62 extends below the plane of the upper end 68 of return pipe 64 to maintain a constant level of condensate 70 within the trap 54. When the condenser is out of use, the condensate can be withdrawn from trap 54 via cock 72. The presence of condensate 70 within the trap 54 effectively prevents the short-circuiting of vapors directly to the vent holes 60. The vent holes 60 can be reached by the vapors only by way of the riser duct 38 and the tube bundle 44 which are cooled by the cooling fluid in the annular space 46. The trap 54 also provides a path for the condensate in vented vapor space 52 to drop back through return pipe 64 while preventing rising vapors to back-up along this path to the vent holes 60. The path of such cooling fluid around the tube bundle may be cocu'rrent or countercurrent to the vapors at connection 74.

Cooling fluid, normally but not necessarily water, is supplied to inlet 48. The hot vapors rise in duct 38 where some cooling, which may or may not be accompanied by slight condensation, occurs. The cooled vapors are reversed in their path of flow by header 40 and feed to the interior of the tubes of bundle 44 where condensation of the condensible vapor takes place. The condensate drops from the ends 58 of the tubes of bundle 44 while the non-condensible vapor escape through vent holes 60. The condensate in vented vapor space 52 flows downwardly in pipe 62 into the trap from where it returns to the reactor (not illustrated) by overflowing into return pipe 64 as previously explained.

The tube bundle 44 is supported only by transverse plate 20 and hence is floating" within the condenser to permit essentially unrestricted thermal expansion and contraction which significantly reduces the unfavorable consequences of thermal stress within the condenser.

Many variations of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the casing could be made in a variety of ways. For example, the flanges l6 and 18 as well as the gaskets 30 and 32 can be eliminated by the use of welded or brazed pipe joint.

Likewise a plurality of pipe 62 and 64 can be utilized. The cross-section of the condenser casing 10 and duct 38 is normally circular, however, the invention is not limited to any particular cross-sectional configuration.

The casing construction may be cast, forged or otherwise fabricated.

The essence of the invention is the use ofa tube bundle and header arrangement for more effective heat exchange which results in the saving of space and materials while at the same time providing for the escapage of non-condensible vapors, and return of condensible vapor to its source.

Having fully described the invention, it is intended that it be limited only by the lawful scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A novel gravity return condenser comprising:

a vertical casing having a closed upper end;

an internal riser duct locatedwithin the casing and extending through the major portion of the length of said casing to form a space between the outer surface of the duct and the inner surface ofthe casing;

a vertical tube bundle within the upper portion of said space;

a header for distributing vapors rising upwardly in said duct over the upper end ofthe tube bundle;

supporting means associated with the lower end of said tube bundle and carried by said casing;

means for passing cooling fluid through said casing around the exterior of said tube bundle and header;

a vapor space below said tube bundle and in communication therewith;

means associated with said vapor space for permitting the passage of uncondensed vapor to the exterior of said casa condensate trap below said vapor space;

wall means isolating said condensate trap from said vapor space,

a first condensate passage means passing through said wall means and being of such a diameter as to prevent substantial flow of non-condensibles into said trap;

a second condensate passage means communicating said trap with the exterior of said casing, the upper extremity of said second condensate passage means being above the lower extremity of said first condensate passage means.

2. The condenser of claim I wherein the casing comprises two pipesjoined end-to-end by a collar connection.

3. The condenser of claim 1 wherein the casing is provided with threadably engaged end portions.

portion of the length of said casin to form a space between the outer surface of the duct and t e inner surface of the casing, within the upper portion of said space, a vertical tube bundle, above the upper end of said duct and said tube bundle a header which serves to distribute vapors rising upwardly in said duct over the upper end of said tube bundle supporting means for said tube bundle comprising a transverse plate carried by said casing into which the tubes of said tube bundle are fixed at their lower ends, means for passing cooling fluids into said casing, around the exterior of said tube bundle, duct and header and out of said casing, below said plate a vapor space comprising a space between the outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, the lower end of said tube bundle communicating with said vapor space, a second transverse plate carried by said casing forming the lower extremity of said vapor space, means associated with said vapor space for permitting the passage of uncondensed vapor to the exterior of said casing, below said second plate a condensate trap comprising a space between the outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, first condensate passage means passing through said second transverse plate and being of such a diameter as to prevent substantial flow of non-condensibles into said trap, a second condensate passage means communicating said trap with the exterior of said casing, the upper extremity of said second condensate passage means being above the lower extremity of said first condensate passage means.

5. The condenser of claim 4 wherein the casing comprises two pipes joined end-to-e nd by a collar connection.

6. The condenser of claim 4 wherein the casing is provided with threadably engaged end portions.

7. The novel gravityreturn condenser comprising a vertical casing having a closed upper end, an internal riser duct located within the casing and extending through the major portion of the length of said casing to form an annular space between the outer surface of the duct and the inner surface of the casing, within the upper portion of said annular space, a vertical tube bundle, above the upper end of said duct and said tube bundle a header which serves to distribute vapors rising upwardly in said duct over the upper end of said tube bundle supporting means for said tube bundle comprising a transverse plate carried by said casing into which the tubes of said tube bundle are fixed at their lower ends, means for passing cooling fluids into said casing, around the exterior of said tube bundle, duct and header and out of said casing, below said plate a vapor space comprising an annular space betweenthe outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, the lower end of said tube bundle communicating with said vapor space, a second transverse plate carried by said casing forming the lower extremity of said vapor space, means associated with said vapor space for permitting the passage of uncondensed vapor to the exterior of said casing, below said second plate a condensate trap comprising an annular space between the outer surface of said duct and the innersurface of said casing, a first condensate passage means passing through said second transverse plate and being of such a diameter as to prevent substantial flow of non-condensibles into said trap, a second condensate passage means communicating said trap with the exterior of said casing, the upper extremity of said second condensate passage means being above the lower extremity of said first condensate passage means.

. 8. The condenser of claim 7 wherein the casing comprises two pipes joined endto-end by a collar connection.

9. The condenser of claim 7 wherein the casing is provided with threadably engaged end portions. 

1. A novel gravity return condenser comprising: a vertical casing having a closed upper end; an internal riser duct located within the casing and extending through the major portion of the length of said casing to form a space between the outer surface of the duct and the inner surface of the casing; a vertical tube bundle within the upper portion of said space; a header for distributing vapors rising upwardly in said duct over the upper end of the tube bundle; supporting means associated with the lower end of said tube bundle and carried by said casing; means for passing cooling fluid through said casing around the exterior of said tube bundle and header; a vapor space below said tube bundle and in communication therewith; means associated with said vapor space for permitting the passage of uncondensed vapor to the exterior of said casing; a condensate trap below said vapor space; wall means isolating said condensate trap from said vapor space, a first condensate passage means passing through said wall means and being of such a diameter as to prevent substantial flow of non-condensibles into said trap; a second condensate passage means communicating said trap with the exterior of said casing, the upper extremity of said second condensate passage means being above the lower extremity of said first condensate passage means.
 2. The condenser of claim 1 wherein the casing comprises two pipes joined end-to-end by a collar connection.
 3. The condenser of claim 1 wherein the casing is provided with threadably engaged end portions.
 4. The novel gravity return condenser comprising a vertical casing having a closed upper end, an internal riser duct located within the casing and extending through the major portion of the length of said casing to form a space between the outer surface of the duct and the inner surface of the casing, within the upper portion of said space, a vertical tube bundle, above the upper end of said duct and said tube bundle a header which serves to distribute vapors rising upwardly in said duct over the upper end of said tube bundle supporting means for said tube bundle comprising a transverse plate carried by said casing into which the tubes of said tube bundle are fixed at their lower ends, means for passing cooling fluids into said casing, around the exterior of said tube bundle, duct and header and out of said casing, below said plate a vapor space comprising a space between the outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, the lower end of said tube bundle communicating with said vapor space, a second transverse plate carried by said casing forming the lower extremity of said vapor space, means associated with said vapor space for permitting the passage of uncondensed vapor to the exterior of said casing, below said second plate a condensate trap comprising a space between the outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, first condensate passage means passing through said second transverse plate and being of such a diameter as to prevent substantial flow of non-condensibles into said trap, a second condensate passage means communicating said trap with the exterior of said casing, the upper extremity of said second condensate passage means being above the lower extremity of said first condensate passage means.
 5. The condenser of claim 4 wherein the casing comprises two pipes joined end-to-end by a collar connection.
 6. The condenser of claim 4 wherein the casing is provided with threadably engaged end portions.
 7. The novel gravity return condenser comprising a vertical casing having a closed upper end, an internal riser duct located within the casing and extending through the major portion of the length of said casing to form an annular space between the outer surface of the duct and the inner surface of the casing, within the upper portion of said annular space, a vertical tube bundle, above the upper end of said duct and said tube bundle a header which serves to distribute vapors rising upwardly in said duct over the upper end of said tube bundle supporting means for said tube bundle comprising a transverse plate carried by said casing into which the tubes of said tube bundle are fixed at their lower ends, means for passing cooling fluids into said casing, around the exterior of said tube bundle, duct and header and out of said casing, below said plate a vapor space comprising an annular space between the outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, the lower end of said tube bundle communicating with said vapor space, a second transverse plate carried by said casing forming the lower extremity of said vapor space, means associated with said vapor space for permitting the passage of uncondensed vapor to the exterior of said casing, below said second plate a condensate trap comprising an annular space between the outer surface of said duct and the inner surface of said casing, a first condensate passage means passing through said second transverse plate and being of such a diameter as to prevent substantial flow of non-condensibles into said trap, a second condensate passage means communicating said trap with the exterior of said casing, the upper extremity of said second condensate passage means being above the lower extremity of said first condensate passage means.
 8. The condenser of claim 7 wherein the casing comprises two pipes joined end-to-end by a collar connection.
 9. The condenser of claim 7 wherein the casing is provided with threadably engaged end portions. 